Click here to read the chapter.
Written by Gaëll Mainguy, Marie-Cécile Naves and François Taddei.
Changes in many dimensions of our lives have accelerated, not least because of contemporary systemic crises and technological innovation. They invite us to rethink the way we share information, learn and cooperate to meet our personal, local and global challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic perfectly illustrates the need to create and nurture “learning communities” that develop their “collective problem-solving” skills. These autonomous, inclusive communities help their members to document, share, mentor, recognize, learn to learn and problem-solve as a community. They enable people to learn how to take care of themselves, others and the planet throughout their lives. Faced with scenarios as extraordinary as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to accelerate and empower everyone - from young people and students to workers and citizens in general - with tools, methods and places to increase their ability to access knowledge and collaborate. From schools and universities to businesses, public and non-profit organizations, we need to adapt training and jobs to break down silos and lower the barriers to knowledge for everyone. Access to and sharing of knowledge and experience are essential for the domestic, personal and democratic spheres. This chapter presents a selection of inspiring “learning communities” and formulates key principles to enable everyone to take care of themselves, others and the planet.
